The Biology of m6A RNA Methylation in Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic development and differentiation are highly regulated processes, and recent studies focusing on m6A mRNA methylation have uncovered how this mark controls cell fate in both normal and malignant hematopoietic states. In this review, we focus on how writers, readers, and erasers of RNA methylation can mediate distinct phenotypes on mRNAs and on cells. Targeting the RNA methylation program has emerged as a potential novel therapeutic strategy, and we explore the role for these regulators in both normal and dysregulated cell contexts. SIGNIFICANCE: RNA methylation is required for cancer cell survival in solid tumors and in acute myeloid leukemia, and targeting this pathway has been proposed as a new therapeutic strategy in cancer. However, understanding the role for RNA methylation in both normal and malignant states is essential for understanding the potential consequences for therapeutic intervention.